OBJ backtracks, says he never endorsed Buhari

Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president, says he has not yet “endorsed” any candidate in the forthcoming presidential election.

Speaking in the United Kingdom during the launch of ‘My Watch’, his controversial autobiography, which has been proscribed in Nigeria, he said he would let his stand on the election known when the time comes.

He, however, maintained that he wishes to see Nigeria being led by a strong president.

“I didn’t endorse or unendorse him as such,” he said.

“What I said and I will say it again and I will do it: when the time comes for me to vote, I will consider the track record of all the candidates that are contesting and I will assess and based on my assessment, whoever I believe has the best track record to perform the job of the Nigerian president will have my vote.

“If anybody should know what the job of the Nigerian president requires, I should know. Nigeria has a population of 180 million and you wouldn’t have anybody other than one person or two persons that can run the affairs of Nigeria.

“There are millions who can run the affairs of Nigeria who are not even coming out. So why should you die on behalf of one who is probably performing as a mediocre? What the hell are we talking about?

“If you love Nigeria, you would look for the best for Nigeria and I don’t believe that at this point in time we have the best for Nigeria.”

Speaking on Tuesday at the launch of My Watch in Nairobi, Kenya, Obasanjo, who served his two terms as president on the same Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform that Jonathan is now running on, had said he would “support” Buhari.

“The circumstances [Buhari] will be working under if he wins the election are different from the one he worked under before, where he was both the executive and the legislature – he knows that,” he said.

“It’s a question of leadership – political and military. He’s smart enough. He’s educated enough. He’s experienced enough. Why shouldn’t I support him?”

Obasanjo’s statement in Kenya drew the ire of the ruling party, with Adamu Muazu, the chairman of PDP, who described it as the biggest surprise.

Musliu Obanikoro, the immediate past minister of state for defence, and Doyin Okupe, special assistant to the president on public affairs, also reacted angrily, saying: “Obasanjo’s endorsement of Buhari is meaningless in Yorubaland and should be treated as such across Nigeria.”

“Someone was reported to have said a new government will be installed on the 29th of May 2015, who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not? Lamentations 3 vs 37.”

Meanwhile, Buhari expressed delight over Obasnajo’s ‘support’.

Speaking with Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent, on Wednesday, Buhari said the endorsement would boost his campaign.

“It will certainly bring more support to us, and will bring those who are sitting on the fence to us,” he said.

“General Obasanjo is highly respected. As far as the Nigerian nation is concerned, there is no issue that is so serious without people seeking his opinion.”